Medicare Part D Disclosure to Individuals Due by October 14
In preparation for the Medicare fall open enrollment period, employers sponsoring group health plans that include prescription drug coverage are required to notify all Medicare-eligible individuals whether such coverage is “creditable” under the law. Creditable coverage means that the coverage is expected to pay, on average, as much as the standard Medicare prescription drug coverage.
Written Disclosure to Individuals
Employers can satisfy this notice requirement by providing a written disclosure notice annually by October 14, and at various other times as required under the law, to the following individuals:
- Medicare-eligible active working individuals and their dependents (including a Medicare-eligible individual when he or she joins the group health plan);
- Medicare-eligible COBRA individuals and their dependents;
- Medicare-eligible disabled individuals covered under an employer’s prescription drug plan; and
- Any retirees and their dependents.
Model notices are available from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Online Disclosure to CMS Also Required
Additionally, employers are required to complete an online disclosure to CMS to report the creditable coverage status of their prescription drug coverage. This disclosure must be completed annually no later than 60 days from the beginning of a plan year, and at certain other times.
Current Version of Employer CHIP Notice Set to Expire on October 31
With preparations for open enrollment underway, please be advised that the current version of the Employer Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Notice is set to expire on October 31, 2016.
Annual Notice Requirement
Employers that provide coverage in states with premium assistance through Medicaid or CHIP must inform employees of potential opportunities for assistance in obtaining health coverage annually before the start of each plan year. An employer may provide the notice applicable to the state in which an employee resides concurrent with the furnishing of:
- Materials notifying the employee of health plan eligibility;
- Materials provided to the employee in connection with an open season or election process conducted under the plan; or
- The summary plan description (SPD).
Current Model Notice Set to Expire on October 31
The current version of the Employer CHIP Notice is set to expire on October 31, 2016. A news alert will be sent out as soon as the new Employer CHIP Notice is available.
Maximum Individual Mandate Payment Amount for 2016 Released
The Affordable Care Act’s “individual mandate” provision requires every individual to have minimum essential health coverage for each month, qualify for an exemption, or make a penalty payment when filing his or her federal income tax return. Recently, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued Revenue Procedure 2016-43, which provides information needed to determine the maximum penalty that may be due for 2016.
Calculating the Payment
For the tax year 2016, individuals will pay whichever of the following penalty amounts is higher:
- 2.5% of the individual’s yearly household income above his or her applicable filing threshold; or
- $695 per person for the year ($347.50 per child under age 18).
The maximum penalty is capped at the cost of the national average premium for a bronze-level health plan available through a Health Insurance Marketplace in 2016. According to the IRS, the monthly national average premium for qualified health plans that have a bronze level of coverage and are offered through a Health Insurance Marketplace in 2016 is:
- $223 per individual; and
- $1,115 for a family with five or more members.
Top 5 Tips on Adopting and Enforcing a Time-Off Policy
Whether paid or unpaid, time-off is an important respite that allows employees to take vacations, attend to personal or family business, or simply rest and recharge. However, managers and employees alike must recognize that not every request for time off can be approved. The following are the top 5 tips on adopting and enforcing a time-off policy:
- Adopt a Written Policy: Employers should adopt a written time-off policy, detailing the amount of sick, personal, and vacation time allotted to employees and procedures for taking that time off. This policy should clarify how far in advance employees must notify their supervisors of their intention to take time off, and whether those requests will be approved based on corporate or departmental needs.
- Communicate the Time-off Policy to Employees: Communicate this time-off policy in both the employee handbook as well as on the company’s internal web site, or intranet, if one exists. Employers should also communicate in writing any variances to the time-off policy that apply to specific departments or positions. When hired, an employee should sign a written acknowledgement that he or she has received and read the handbook. This acknowledgement should be placed in the employee’s personnel file.
- Comply with Applicable Law: When considering whether to grant an employee’s time-off request, it is necessary to comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding time off and nondiscrimination. For example, employers covered by the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) must provide eligible employees with leave for specified family or medical reasons. Also, many laws contain specific procedures and notice requirements for both employers and employees regarding requests for time off.
- Consider Flexible Work Options: In managing employees’ requests for time off, an employer should also consider whether a flexible work option is a good fit for their company. Flexible work hours can minimize inconvenient time-off requests and help managers plan for extra coverage during busy times.
- Be Fair: Time-off requests must still on occasion be denied. Remember to follow all applicable laws, and apply those laws and company policies consistently and fairly among all employees. If appropriate, the employer should explain why the request was denied and attempt to find a resolution that works for both the employee and the company.
Social Security Requirements for Employee Name Changes
With the summer wedding season now over, it is critical for employers to ensure that each employee’s name and Social Security Number (SSN)–as shown on his or her Social Security card–matches the employer’s payroll records and year-end Forms W-2.
Employers
If an employee legally changes his or her name because of marriage, employers should continue to use the old name and tell the employee to contact Social Security to obtain an updated card. Employers should change their payroll records only after the employee obtains an updated Social Security card with the new name. Using a new name before the employee updates Social Security’s records may prevent the posting of earnings to the employee’s Social Security earnings history.
Employers can use Social Security’s free Social Security Number Verification Service (SSNVS) to match employees’ names and SSNs at the time they are hired, or before the employer prepares and submits employees’ Forms W-2.
Employees
Employees must take the following three steps to obtain a corrected Social Security card:
- Show the required documents, including proof of identity. See Learn What Documents You Need for more information. (Under the heading “Type of Card,” select “Corrected” for a list of the documents needed);
- Fill out and print an Application for a Social Security Card; and
Take or mail the application and documents to a local Social Security office.
There is no charge for a Social Security card–this service is free. For complete instructions, please click here.
Please Note: The information and materials herein are provided for general information purposes only and are not intended to constitute legal or other advice or opinions on any specific matters and are not intended to replace the advice of a qualified attorney, plan provider or other professional advisor. This information has been taken from sources which we believe to be reliable, but there is no guarantee as to its accuracy. In accordance with IRS Circular 230, this communication is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used as or considered a ‘covered opinion’ or other written tax advice and should not be relied upon for any purpose other than its intended purpose.
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